\u201cI AM 9 years old and worried about the world I am growing up in. We need to stop polluting this world. It is bad for our environment, destroying the atmosphere and making it unhealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his passionate plea, which was read in federal parliament, Anglesea\u2019s Evan Gavens then went on to offer some solutions such as a move to renewable energy, ending with \u201cplease take action now for the people of my age\u201d.<\/p>\n
Corangamite MP Libby Coker said she chose to read Evan\u2019s speech from those submitted to her by young people across her Corangamite electorate, as part of the Raise Our Voice Australia campaign to increase the diversity of voices in decision making institutions.<\/p>\n
Ms Coker praised the high standard and broad range of topics covered in the speeches.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so impressed by the standard of the speeches submitted by young people from cross my electorate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt tells me that we have an articulate, thoughtful generation of potential future community leaders coming along.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said Evan\u2019s speech touched on promoting renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and preserving our natural environment, and ended with the call to action to act for future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a sentiment everyone, especially those with young children, would echo and support,\u201d Ms Coker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough I chose to read Evan\u2019s speech I could have read many others. Topics ranged from the need for improved local sporting facilities, to reconciliation with first nations people and hopes for the nation\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n
During her speech in parliament, Ms Coker also mentioned Year 7 Oberon Secondary College student Aviva-Luna Phieler, who created a chalk artwork on the footpath outside Ms Coker \u2018s office, as part of a School Strike 4 Climate action demonstration.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had a strong message for the Australian Government \u2013 take action urgently on climate change, or we will experience more extreme weather events such as droughts, bushfires and floods in the future and lose even more biodiversity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless we act quickly to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions, global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius will be exceeded by the 2030s.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe significance of climate change and how, we as a nation, respond to that challenge is not lost on our children.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI AM 9 years old and worried about the world I am growing up in. We need to stop polluting this world. It is bad for our environment, destroying the atmosphere and making it unhealthy.\u201d In his passionate plea, which was read in federal parliament, Anglesea\u2019s Evan Gavens then went on to offer some solutions […]<\/p>\n